The fervor over
“American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey hit its apex in early May, when the
program hosted a day of Gokey appearances and parades throughout Milwaukee, including a
free concert at the Summerfest grounds that drew a crowd of 25,000. An early
favorite to win FOX’s top-rated singing contest, Gokey was cut the following
week—he finished third—but he’d already cemented his status as a hometown hero.
Regardless of whether Gokey’s brand of smooth, blue-eyed soul got your mojo
workin’ or your eyes rolling, it’s hard not to admire a guy who gives tens of
thousands of dollars in free publicity back to his home city.
Runners-up:Mayor Tom Barrett, Les Paul
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